More Money, Less Problems

In this episode of the STR Investing Podcast, Mark Lumpkin sits down with Nick Swanson and Alex from Chetu, a technology firm that has spent 25 years helping hotels, operators, and brands navigate digital transformation. Together, they unpack how AI is changing hospitality and what short term rental operators can do right now to stay ahead.

Nick and Alex break down what agentic AI actually is, how it is already being used behind the scenes in hotels and restaurants, and why the next wave of tools will feel more like talking to a real person than fighting a phone tree. They also explain how STR hosts can use AI to refresh listings, improve Airbnb ranking, mine historic guest data, streamline pricing, and elevate guest communication without hiring a huge team.

They share the story of Chetu's journey from tiny startup to a global company, and why AI is exposing digital weak spots that were papered over by old “transformation” slides. The conversation also tackles the big question on everyone’s mind: AI versus virtual assistants. Will AI replace VAs, or work alongside them

In this episode, you will learn:

• What agentic AI is and how it fits into hospitality
• Practical ways AI can increase bookings and guest satisfaction in STRs
• How to use AI to automate repetitive workflows and free your team to do higher value work
• Why historic guest data is a goldmine that humans will never fully unlock on their own
• How to think about cost, data security, and using off the shelf tools versus custom builds

If you are serious about using AI to grow your short term rental business, this episode will give you a clear, grounded starting point.

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Episode Sponsored By:
STR Search

STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 265+ profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com